Hard and Soft Water

The Difference Between Hard and Soft Water

You will often hear people speak about hard and soft water, but what is actually the difference, and how does it occur? One simple answer to the question is that soft water is actually found in rainfall; it’s the natural form of water before it hits the earth. This soft water actually changes when it hits a country’s waterways via the ground, where it picks up a variety of minerals; this eventually turns it into hard water.

Hard Water

Very often, the water that we drink is what we call hard water. The various minerals that soft water picks up, such as magnesium and calcium, benefit health. These minerals that the water picks up are natural, and they can improve the taste.

Soft Water

Soft water is naturally falling rain; it often has a salty taste, which doesn’t quench thirst in the same way that hard water does, but the flavour is different. Sometimes soft water is not suitable for use as drinking water; for example, twenty years ago the water in countries like Spain often had to be boiled before use. Soft water that hasn’t been treated (or has been improperly treated) can actually be detrimental to health.

The Differences between hard and soft water

The visible differences between the two types of water is most evident when you’re performing general household cleaning tasks. When you are washing clothes and the whites and coloureds tend to have a dingy look, it’s because you’re using hard water.

The advent of dishwashers and washing machines has seen a surge in the sale of water softeners, because these are thought to produce a better looking, cleaner wash. The resistant line after you’ve taken a bath is generally down to hard water, which leaves behind deposits that cause spotting and are difficult to shift.

When it comes to your dishwasher or washing machine, the deposits left by hard water can actually damage the machine and prevent it from working as it should. In addition, the lather in a wash is not as rich as it should be, and the elements that make up the water mean that hard water uses more energy than soft.

Soft Water for Household Tasks

Soft water produces a better lather when you are performing household chores, which means things look cleaner. The lack of mineral deposits mean that your glasses come out clean rather than looking smeared. Using soft water can mean that your appliances will last longer than if hard water is used. One of the noticeable things about using soft water for household chores is that it can lower your use of electricity and therefore your bills.